November 04, 2013

Curtis Silver Picks His Top 7 Tech Products of the Year

SA tech expert Curtis Silver shared the gadgets and gizmos he thinks will be the Most Memorable New Product Launches of 2013. Silver is a contributor to GeekDad and Medium.com, brand ambassador for Gunnar Optiks and writer of a delusional travel blog, Heathens of the Plains. He can be found at pixelhub.me/cebsilver.

1. Xbox One

In an effort to revolutionize the gaming experience, Microsoft is banking on their next generation gaming system to bleed together all aspects of gaming, television, music and movies for one massive entertainment machine.

Learn more: http://www.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-one/meet-xbox-one

2. PlayStation 4

Like Microsoft, Sony is hoping their system will be the next generation entertainment system. Unlike Microsoft, Sony has benefited from not being completely creepy with how they plan on not watching you. Time will tell which system will win this battle, but it should be entertaining to watch.

Learn more: http://us.playstation.com/ps4/index.htm

3. Google Glass

While poised to become the next Segway, in the sense of revolutionary technology limited to tech nerds and tech tourists, Glass has the potential to be something more. Yet, every time Robert Scoble tweets a picture of himself in the shower, the product takes a hit. Do we want that kind of accessibility on our faces? Only time will tell.

Learn more: http://www.google.com/glass/start/

4. Netflix

Neither launched in the last year nor an actual piece of traditional technology, Netflix shouldn't be on this list. But in February 2013, Netflix changed the landscape of television when it released original content, House of Cards. Through integration with the next generation of gaming consoles, Netflix's business model will revolutionize how we digest made-for-TV entertainment.

Learn more: https://signup.netflix.com/

5. 3Doodler Pen

After pulling in $2.3M following a $30K Kickstarter goal, the 3Doodler Pen by WobbleWorks LLC is now shipping to backers. Just as 3D printing opened up the creative industrial market, this pen has the ability to do the same with consumers. It is cheap and can change how we doodle. For artists, it has the potential to be an invaluable resource for modeling and creation.

Learn more: http://www.the3doodler.com/

6. Galaxy Gear SmartWatch

Like it or not, calculator watches are making a comeback. Do people really want another piece of wearable technology when they are already carrying cell phones? Will the smart watch trend take off? If it does, at least Samsung can say they drew first blood.

Learn more: http://www.samsung.com/global/microsite/galaxynote3-gear/

7. Ouya

While Sony and Microsoft are busy building massive entertainment systems, Ouya is under the radar, seeking to bring gaming to the masses- but just gaming. With a $99 price point, an Android operating system and a game library that is free to try, it is only a matter of time before millions of burnt out gamers migrate to the simplicity of this system. While many are writing it off as dead, it's better to consider Ouya the Linux of the gaming consoles.